Immunocytokine sequences and uses thereof

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a family of antibodies that specifically bind the human cell surface glycosphingolipid GD2. The antibodies comprise modified variable regions, more specially, modified framework regions, which reduce their immunogenicity when administered to a human. The antibodies may be coupled to a therapeutic agent and used in the treatment of cancer.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This incorporates by reference, and claims priority to and the benefit of, U.S. provisional patent application 60/433,945, which was filed on Dec. 17, 2002.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates generally to modified antibodies. More particularly, the invention relates to modified antibodies with reduced immunogenicity that specifically bind the human cell surface glycosphingolipid GD2, and their use as therapeutic agents.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] There has been significant progress in the development of antibody-based therapies over the years. For example, investigators have identified not only a variety of cancer-specific markers but also a variety of antibodies that specifically bind to those markers. Antibodies can be used to deliver certain molecules, for example, a toxin or an immune stimulatory moiety, for example, a cytokine, to a cancer cell expressing the marker so as to selectively kill the cancer cell.

[0004] The 14.18 antibody is a mouse-derived monoclonal antibody directed against the cell surface glycosphingolipid GD2. GD2 is a disialoganglioside that is normally only expressed at a significant level on the outer surface membranes of neuronal cells, where its exposure to the immune system is limited by the blood brain barrier.

[0005] Many tumor cells, in contrast, have abnormal levels of glycosphingolipid cell surface expression. For example, GD2 is expressed on the surfaces of a wide range of tumor cells including neuroblastomas, medulloblastomas, astrocytomas, melanomas, small-cell lung cancer, osteosarcomas and other soft tissue sarcomas. Thus, GD2 is a convenient tumor-specific marker for targeting immune-stimulatory protein domains to tumor cells for the purpose of raising an effective immune response against the tumor cells to destroy them. While the 14.18 mouse antibody (m14.18 antibody) may assist the targeting of these protein domains to tumor cells, its mouse-derived amino acid sequences can impair the desired therapeutic effect.

[0006] When administered to a patient, antibodies can have an associated immunogenicity in the host mammal. This is more likely to occur when the antibodies are not autologous. Consequently, the effectiveness of antibody-based therapies often is limited by an immunogenic response directed against the therapeutic antibody. This immunogenic response typically is increased when the antibody is derived in whole or in part from a mammal different than the host mammal, e.g., when the antibody is derived from a mouse and the recipient is a human.

[0007] For clinical use in humans, it may be helpful to modify mouse-derived antibodies to more closely resemble human antibodies, so as to reduce or minimize the immunogenicity of the mouse-derived antibody. The immunogenicity of the mouse-derived antibody can be reduced by the creation of a chimeric antibody in which the constant regions of a human antibody are fused to mouse variable domains. However, the remaining mouse variable domains are generally still immunogenic in humans, and can thus impair the efficacy of an antibody-based therapy.

[0008] Some approaches to reducing immunogenicity, such as “veneering” and “humanization” involve the introduction of many amino acid substitutions and may disrupt the binding of an antibody to an antigen. The m14.18 antibody binds to GD2 with moderate affinity. Therefore, mutations that significantly lower the affinity of m14.18 for GD2 are expected to make it less effective for therapeutic purposes in humans. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for therapeutic antibodies that can effectively target GD2 and have reduced immunogenicity when administered to a human.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Generally, the present invention provides a modified form of the m14. 18 antibody that is less immunogenic in humans, but still maintains the binding affinity of m14.18 for human GD2.

[0010] More particularly, the invention provides a humanized form of the m14. 18 antibody (hu14.18 antibody) in which several mouse-specific amino acids in one or more of the framework regions have been substituted with different amino acids to reduce their immunogenicity in humans. The invention also provides fusions of the hu14.18 antibody to one or more non-immunoglobulin moieties for enhancing the effects of targeted immune therapy.

[0011] In one aspect, the present invention provides an antibody variable region including the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1, which defines an immunoglobulin light chain variable region (V_(L) region). In another aspect, the invention relates to an antibody variable region including the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2, which defines an immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region (V_(H) region). In one embodiment, the invention provides an antibody variable region in which the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 is linked to the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2. The amino acid sequences can be linked, such as by a disulfide bond or a peptide bond.

[0012] In another aspect, the invention relates to an antibody variable region that specifically binds to GD2 and includes at least amino acids 1-23 of SEQ ID NO: 1, amino acids 1-25 of SEQ ID NO: 2, or amino acids 67-98 of SEQ ID NO: 2. These sequences define framework regions in the immunoglobulin variable regions of the hu14.18 antibody. Framework regions are described in greater detail below.

[0013] One aspect of the invention relates to a method for targeting a cell with GD2 on its surface and includes administering an antibody variable region of the present invention to a patient. In one embodiment, the targeted cell is a tumor cell. Further aspects of the invention include a nucleic acid encoding the antibody variable region or a cell that includes this nucleic acid, either of which can be administered to a patient or used for in vitro protein production.

[0014] The invention also provides a polypeptide that includes an antibody variable region of the invention and an Fc portion comprising at least a CH2 domain, nucleic acids encoding the polypeptide, cells including the nucleic acids, and methods for targeting a cell with GD2 on its surface by administering the polypeptide, nucleic acid, or cell to a patient. In some embodiments of the invention, the Fc portion is derived from IgG1.

[0015] The antibody variable region can be linked, with or without an intervening Fc portion, to a non-immunoglobulin moiety. Specifically, the non-immunoglobulin moiety can be a cytokine, such as an interleukin, a hematopoietic factor, a lymphokine, an interferon, or a chemokine. The interleukin can be, for example, interleukin-2 or interleukin-12. The hematopoietic factor and lymphokine can be, for example, granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and a lymphotoxin, respectively. The interferon can be, for example, interferon-α, interferon-β, or interferon-γ. In some embodiments of the invention, the fusion protein includes a second non-immunologlobulin moiety, such as a second cytokine. In a particular embodiment, the fusion protein includes the antibody variable region, IL-2, and IL-12.

[0016] It is to be understood that the features of the various embodiments described herein are not mutually exclusive and can exist in various combinations and permutations.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017]FIG. 1A shows the amino acid sequence of an immunoglobulin light chain variable region in accordance with the invention.

[0018]FIG. 1B shows the amino acid sequence of an immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region in accordance with the invention.

[0019] FIGS. 2A-G show the nucleotide sequence of a vector for expression of an immunoglobulin light chain and an immunoglobulin heavy chain-IL-2 fusion protein in accordance with the invention. The nucleotide sequence is presented in 5′ to 3′ direction from left to right and top to bottom, spanning FIGS. 2A-2G, and is SEQ ID NO: 4.

[0020]FIG. 3A shows the amino acid sequence of an immunoglobulin light chain in accordance with the invention.

[0021]FIG. 3B shows the amino acid sequence of an immunoglobulin heavy chain in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] The present invention provides a modified form of the m14. 18 antibody that is less immunogenic in humans, but is still able to specifically bind human GD2. The reduced immunogenicity is provided by one or more altered amino acid sequences in the immunoglobulin variable domains. The antibody is useful for treating GD2-positive tumors, particularly when fused to a cytokine or other immune modulator.

[0023] As used herein, the terms “antibody” and “immunoglobulin” are understood to mean (i) an intact antibody (for example, a monoclonal antibody or polyclonal antibody), (ii) antigen binding portions thereof, including, for example, an Fab fragment, an Fab′ fragment, an (Fab′)₂ fragment, an Fv fragment, a single chain antibody binding site, an sFv, (iii) bi-specific antibodies and antigen binding portions thereof, and (iv) multi-specific antibodies and antigen binding portions thereof.

[0024] As used herein, the terms “bind specifically,” “specifically bind” and “specific binding” are understood to mean that the antibody has a binding affinity for a particular antigen of at least about 10⁶ M⁻¹, more preferably, at least about 10⁷ M⁻¹, more preferably at least about 10⁸ M⁻¹, and most preferably at least about 10¹⁰ M⁻¹.

[0025] As used herein, the terms “Framework Regions” and “FRs” are understood to mean the regions of an immunoglobulin variable region adjacent to the Complementarity-Determining Regions (CDRs). CDRs are the portions of an immunoglobulin variable region that interact primarily with an antigen. As shown in FIG. 1, the V_(H) and V_(L) regions both contain four FRs and are located within the boxed portions of the amino acid sequences.

[0026] In particular, with reference to the amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 1A (SEQ ID NO: 1), the light chain FRs are defined by the amino acid sequences from Asp1 to Cys23 (huV_(L)FR1), from His39 to His54 (huV_(L)FR2), from Gly62 to Cys93 (huV_(L)FR3), and from Phe104 to Lys113 (huV_(L)FR4). With reference to the amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 1B (SEQ ID NO: 2), the heavy chain FRs are defined by the amino acid sequences from Glu1 to Ser25 (huV_(H)FR1), from Trp36 to Gly49 (huV_(H)FR2), from Arg67 to Ser98 (huV_(H)FR3), and from Trp103 to Ser113 (hUV_(H)FR4).

[0027] Protein Sequences of the Invention

[0028] The present invention features antibodies that bind, preferably specifically, to the human cell surface glycosphingolipid GD2 and have modified regions derived from the m14.18 antibody. The V_(H) or V_(L) amino acid sequences (or both) are modified or humanized to reduce their immunogenicity when administered to a human. In accordance with the invention, the m14.18 antibody can be humanized, for example, by using deimmunization methods in which potential T cell epitopes are eliminated or weakened by introduction of mutations that reduce binding of a peptide epitope to an MHC Class II molecule (see, for example, WO98/52976 and WO00/34317). Alternatively, non-human T cell epitopes are mutated so that they correspond to human self epitopes that are present in human antibodies (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,712,120). The present invention provides GD2 antibodies having V_(L) and V_(H) regions that include at least one humanized FR sequence, thereby reducing immunogenicity when administered to a human.

[0029] I. Heavy and Light Chains Variable Regions

[0030] As mentioned above, the hu14.18 includes humanized variable regions derived from the m14.18 antibody that maintain specific binding of human GD2 antigen. In some embodiments of the invention, the V_(L) region of the hu14.18 antibody includes the following polypeptide: D-V-V-M-T-Q-T-P-L-S-L-P-V-T-P-G-E-P-A-S-I-S-C-R-S-S-Q-S-L-V-H-R-N-G-N-T- (SEQ ID NO: 1) Y-L-H-W-Y-L-Q-K-P-G-Q-S-P-K-L-L-I-H-K-V-S-N-R-F-S-G-V-P-D-R-F-S-G-S-G-S- G-T-D-F-T-L-K-I-S-R-V-E-A-E-D-L-G-V-Y-F-C-S-Q-S-T-H-V-P-P-L-T-F-G-A-G-T- K-L-E-L-K.

[0031] In particular embodiments, the hu14.18 antibody includes a light chain FR1 that is defined by residues 1 to 23 of SEQ ID NO: 1, namely, D-V-V-M-T-Q-T-P-L-S-L-P-V-T-P-G-E-P-A-S-I-S-C (huV_(L)FR1).

[0032] In other embodiments of the invention, the V_(H) region of the hu14.18 antibody includes the following polypeptide: E-V-Q-L-V-Q-S-G-A-E-V-E-K-P-G-A-S-V-K-I-S-C-K-A-S-G-S-S-F-T-G-Y-N-M-N- (SEQ ID NO: 2) W-V-R-Q-N-I-G-K-S-L-E-W-I-G-A-I-D-P-Y-Y-G-G-T-S-Y-N-Q-K-F-K-G-R-A-T-L-T- V-D-K-S-T-S-T-A-Y-M-H-L-K-S-L-R-S-E-D-T-A-V-Y-Y-C-V-S-G-M-E-Y-W-G-Q-G- T-S-V-T-V-S-S.

[0033] In particular embodiments, the hu14. 18 antibody includes a heavy chain FR1 that is defined by residues 1 to 25 of SEQ ID NO: 2, namely E-V-Q-L-V-Q-S-G-A-E-V-E-K-P-G-A-S-V-K-I-S-C-K-A-S (huV_(H)FR1).

[0034] In further embodiments of the invention, the hu14.18 antibody includes a heavy chain FR3 that is represented by residues 67 to 98 of SEQ ID NO: 2, namely R-A-T-L-T-V-D-K-S-T-S-T-A-Y-M-H-L-K -S-L-R-S-E-D-T-A-V-Y-Y-C-V-S (huV_(H)FR3).

[0035] Various combinations of the foregoing embodiments are also within the scope of the present invention. For example, the hu14.18 antibody may include the V_(L) sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 and the V_(H) sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2. The V_(L) and V_(H) regions can be linked by a disulfide bond or a peptide bond, depending on how their nucleic acid sequences are constructed. In general, V regions are linked by a disulfide bond when their sequences are encoded on separate DNA constructs. In contrast, the V regions are typically linked by a peptide bond when their sequences are encoded on a single-chain DNA construct.

[0036] The present invention also contemplates an antibody that specifically binds GD2 and includes at least a portion of the humanized V regions. For example, the hu14.18 antibody can include a V_(L) region as defined by SEQ ID NO:1 and a V_(H) region having at least one humanized FR, such as huV_(H)FR1 or huV_(H)FR2. Alternatively, the antibody of the present invention can include a V_(H) region as defined by SEQ ID NO: 2 and a V_(L) region having at least one humanized FR, such as huV_(L)FR1. The hu14.18 antibody can also include a V_(H) region having at least one humanized FR and/or a V_(L) region having at least one humanized FR.

[0037] In certain embodiments of the invention, the light chain variable region and the heavy chain variable region can be coupled, respectively, to a light chain constant region and a heavy chain constant region of an immunoglobulin. The immunoglobulin light chains have constant regions that are designated as either kappa or lambda chains. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the light chain constant region is a kappa chain. The heavy chain constant regions, and various modification and combinations thereof are discussed below in detail.

[0038] II. Fc Portion

[0039] The antibody variable domains of the present invention are optionally fused to an Fc portion. As used herein, the Fc portion encompasses domains derived from the heavy chain constant region of an immunoglobulin, preferably a human immunoglobulin, including a fragment, analog, variant, mutant or derivative of the constant region. The constant region of an immunoglobulin heavy chain is defined as a naturally-occurring or synthetically produced polypeptide homologous to at least a portion of the C-terminal region of the heavy chain, including the CH1, hinge, CH2, CH3, and, for some heavy chain classes, CH4 domains. The “hinge” region joins the CH1 domain to the CH2-CH3 region of an Fc portion. The constant region of the heavy chains of all mammalian immunoglobulins exhibit extensive amino acid sequence similarity. DNA sequences for these immunoglobulin regions are well known in the art. (See, e.g., Gillies et al. (1989) J. Immunol. Meth. 125:191).

[0040] In the present invention, the Fc portion typically includes at least a CH2 domain. For example, the Fc portion can include the entire immunoglobulin heavy chain constant region (CH1-hinge-CH2-CH3). Alternatively, the Fc portion can include all or a portion of the hinge region, the CH2 domain and the CH3 domain.

[0041] The constant region of an immunoglobulin is responsible for many important antibody effector functions, including Fc receptor (FcR) binding and complement fixation. There are five major classes of the heavy chain constant region, classified as IgA, IgG, IgD, IgE, and IgM, each with characteristic effector functions designated by isotype.

[0042] IgG, for example, is separated into four γ isotypes: γ1, γ2, γ3, and γ4, also known as IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, and IgG4, respectively. IgG molecules can interact with multiple classes of cellular receptors including three classes of Fcγ receptors (FcγR) specific for the IgG class of antibody, namely FcγRI, FcγRII, and FcγRIII. The sequences important for the binding of IgG to the FcγR receptors have been reported to be in the CH2 and CH3 domains.

[0043] The serum half-life of an antibody is influenced by the ability of that antibody to bind to an Fc receptor (FcR). Similarly, the serum half-life of immunoglobulin fusion proteins is also influenced by the inability to bind to such receptors (Gillies et al., Cancer Research (1999) 59:2159-66). The CH2 and CH3 domains of IgG2 and IgG4 have undetectable or reduced binding affinity to Fc receptors compared to those of IgG1. Accordingly, the serum half-life of the featured antibody can be increased by using the CH2 and/or CH3 domain from IgG2 or IgG4 isotypes. Alternatively, the antibody can include a CH2 and/or CH3 domain from IgG1 or IgG3 with modification in one or more amino acids in these domains to reduce the binding affinity for Fc receptors (see, e.g., U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/256,156, published as U.S. patent application publication 2003-0105294-A1).

[0044] The hinge region of the Fc portion normally adjoins the C-terminus of the CH 1 domain of the heavy chain constant region. When included in the proteins of the present invention, the hinge is homologous to a naturally-occurring immunoglobulin region and typically includes cysteine residues linking two heavy chains via disulfide bonds as in natural immunoglobulins. Representative sequences of hinge regions for human and mouse immunoglobulin can be found in ANTIBODY ENGINEERING, a PRACTICAL GUIDE, (Borrebaeck, ed., W. H. Freeman and Co., 1992).

[0045] Suitable hinge regions for the present invention can be derived from IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, and other immunoglobulin isotypes. The IgG1 isotype has two disulfide bonds in the hinge region permitting efficient and consistent disulfide bonding formation. Therefore, a preferred hinge region of the present invention is derived from IgG1. Optionally, the first, most N-terminal cysteine of an IgG1 hinge is mutated to enhance the expression and assembly of antibodies or antibody fusion proteins of the invention (see, e.g., U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/093,958, published as U.S. patent application publication 2003-0044423-A1).

[0046] In contrast to IgG1, the hinge region of IgG4 is known to form interchain disulfide bonds inefficiently (Angal et al., (1993), Mol. Immunol. 30:105-8). Also, the IgG2 hinge region has four disulfide bonds that tend to promote oligomerization and possibly incorrect disulfide bonding during secretion in recombinant systems. One suitable hinge region for the present invention can be derived from the IgG4 hinge region, preferentially containing a mutation that enhances correct formation of disulfide bonds between heavy chain-derived moieties (Angal et al., (1993), Mol. Immunol. 30(1):105-8). Another preferred hinge region is derived from an IgG2 hinge in which the first two cysteines are each mutated to another amino acid, such as, in order of general preference, serine, alanine, threonine, proline, glutamic acid, glutamine, lysine, histidine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, glycine, methionine, valine, isoleucine, leucine, tyrosine, phenylalanine, tryptophan or selenocysteine (see, e.g., U.S. patent application publication 2003-0044423-A1).

[0047] An Fc portion fused to an antibody variable region of the invention can contain CH2 and/or CH3 domains and a hinge region that are derived from different antibody isotypes. For example, the Fc portion can contain CH2 and/or CH3 domains of IgG2 or IgG4 and a hinge region of IgG1. Assembly of such hybrid Fc portions has been described in U.S. patent application publication 2003-0044423-A1.

[0048] When fused to an antibody variable region of the invention, the Fc portion preferably contains one or more amino acid modifications that generally extend the serum half-life of an Fc fusion protein. Such amino acid modifications include mutations substantially decreasing or eliminating Fc receptor binding or complement fixing activity. For example, one type of such mutation removes the glycosylation site of the Fc portion of an immunoglobulin heavy chain. In IgG1, the glycosylation site is Asn297 (see, for example, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/310,719, published as U.S. patent application publication 2003-0166163-A1).

[0049] III. Fusion Junction Region

[0050] The antibody variable regions of the present invention can optionally be linked or fused to a non-immunoglobulin moiety directly or indirectly, such as through a linker peptide (e.g., (Gly₄-Ser)₃ (SEQ ID NO: 3)). The immunogenicity of the disclosed fusion proteins can be reduced by impairing the ability of the fusion junction or junctional epitope to interact with a T-cell receptor, as described in U.S. patent application publication 2003-0166877-A1. Even in a fusion between two human proteins, e.g., human Fc and human IL-2, the region surrounding the fusion junction or junctional epitope includes a peptide sequence that is not normally present in the human body and, thus, that can be immunogenic. The immunogenicity of the junctional epitope can be reduced, for example, by introducing one or more glycosylation sites near the fusion junction, or by identifying a candidate T-cell epitope spanning the junction as described in U.S. patent application publication 2003-0166877-A1 and changing an amino acid near the junction to reduce the ability of the candidate T-cell epitope to interact with a T-cell receptor.

[0051] The serum half-life of the protein can also be increased by introducing mutations into the fusion junction region. For example, in a protein including a CH3 domain fused to a non-immunoglobulin moiety, the C-terminal lysine of the CH3 domain can be changed to another amino acid, such as alanine, which can provide a substantial increase in serum half-life of the resulting fusion protein.

[0052] In certain embodiments, proteolytic cleavage of the fusion junction is desirable. Accordingly, the intergenic region can include a nucleotide sequence encoding a proteolytic cleavage site. This site, interposed between the immunoglobulin and the cytokine, can be designed to provide for proteolytic release of the cytokine at the target site. For example, it is well known that plasmin and trypsin cleave after lysine and arginine residues at sites that are accessible to the proteases. Other site-specific endoproteases and the amino acid sequences they recognize are well-known.

[0053] IV. Treatment of Human Disease with hu14.18 Antibody Fusion Proteins

[0054] The antibody variable regions of the invention can be attached to a diagnostic and/or a therapeutic agent. The agent can be fused to the antibody to produce a fusion protein. Alternatively, the agent can be chemically coupled to the antibody to produce an immuno-conjugate. The agent can be, for example, a toxin, radiolabel, imaging agent, immunostimulatory moiety or the like.

[0055] The antibody variable region of the invention can be attached to a cytokine. Preferred cytokines include interleukins such as interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IL-14, IL-15, IL-16 and IL-18, hematopoietic factors such as granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and erythropoeitin, tumor necrosis factors (TNF) such as TNFα, lymphokines such as lymphotoxin, regulators of metabolic processes such as leptin, interferons such as interferon α, interferon β, and interferon γ, and chemokines. Preferably, the antibody-cytokine fusion protein or immunoconjugate displays cytokine biological activity. In one embodiment, the antibody variable domain is fused to IL-2. Preferably, several amino acids within the IL-2 moiety are mutated to reduce toxicity, as described in U.S. patent application publication 2003-0166163-A1.

[0056] For example, FIGS. 3A and 3B show the amino acid sequences of a particular embodiment of an antibody fusion protein in accordance with the invention. Specifically, FIG. 3A shows the peptide sequence of a humanized immunoglobulin light chain that includes a variable and constant region. FIG. 3B shows the peptide sequence of a humanized immunoglobulin heavy chain linked to IL-2. The polypeptides provide a humanized antibody fusion protein capable of specifically binding to GD2 and stimulating the immune system.

[0057] Optionally, the protein complexes can further include a second agent, such as a second cytokine. In one embodiment, a hu14.18 antibody fusion protein includes IL-12 and IL-2. The construction of protein complexes containing an immunoglobulin domain and two, different cytokines is described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 6,617,135.

[0058] Fusion proteins of the present invention are useful in treating human disease, such as cancer. When treating human tumors, it is particularly useful to administer an antibody-IL-2 fusion protein comprising the V regions of the invention by infusion or subcutaneous injection, using doses of 0.1 to 100 milligrams/meter²/patient. In a preferred embodiment, it is particularly useful to administer an antibody-IL-2 fusion protein comprising the V regions of the invention by infusion or subcutaneous injection, using doses of 1 to 10 milligrams/meter²/patient, and more preferably about 3 to 6 milligrams/meter²/patient.

[0059] Clinical studies have shown that following administration of hu14.18-IL-2, the fusion protein retains its ability to activate IL-2 responsive cells through the IL-2 receptor and retains its ability to bind to GD2-positive tumor cells and to deliver IL-2 to their surface. Furthermore, administration of hu14.18-IL-2 fusion protein to a cancer patients resulted in stabilization of disease progression in a surprisingly large number of patients (see Example 1).

[0060] Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention may be used in the form of solid, semisolid, or liquid dosage forms, such as, for example, pills, capsules, powders, liquids, suspensions, or the like, preferably in unit dosage forms suitable for administration of precise dosages. The compositions include a conventional pharmaceutical carrier or excipient and, in addition, may include other medicinal agents, pharmaceutical agents, carriers, adjuvants, etc. Such excipients may include other proteins, such as, for example, human serum albumin or plasma proteins. Actual methods of preparing such dosage forms are known or will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The composition or formulation to be administered will, in any event, contain a quantity of the active component(s) in an amount effective to achieve the desired effect in the subject being treated.

[0061] Administration of the compositions hereof can be via any of the accepted modes of administration for agents that exhibit such activity. These methods include oral, parenteral, or topical administration and otherwise systemic forms. Intravenous injection in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is a preferred method of administration (see Example 1).

[0062] The amount of active compound administered will, of course, be dependent on the subject being treated, the severity of the affliction, the manner of administration, and the judgment of the prescribing physician.

[0063] Nucleic Acids of the Invention

[0064] I. hu14.18 Antibody Constructs

[0065] The invention also features nucleic acids capable of expressing each of the above types of proteins. These include, for example, nucleic acids encoding the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1; the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2; a hu14.18 antibody V_(L) region that includes the huV_(L)FR1 amino acid sequence; a hu14.18 antibody V_(H) region that includes the huV_(H)FR1 amino acid sequence; a hu14.18 antibody V_(H) region that includes hUV_(H)FR3 amino acid sequence; and fusion proteins comprising a hu14.18 antibody including at least one of the foregoing humanized FR sequences and one or more therapeutic agents.

[0066] The hu14.18 antibodies of this invention can be produced by genetic engineering techniques; i.e., by forming a nucleic acid construct encoding an GD2 specific antibody containing the desired FRs of the present invention. In one embodiment, the gene construct encoding the featured antibody includes, in 5′ to 3′ orientation, a DNA segment which encodes a heavy chain variable region including at least one humanized FR therein and a DNA segment encoding a heavy chain constant region. In another embodiment, another DNA segment encoding a cytokine is fused to the 3′ end of the DNA segment encoding the heavy chain constant region. In a different embodiment, the gene construct includes, in 5′ to 3′ orientation, a DNA segment encoding a heavy chain variable region including at least one humanized FR and a DNA segment encoding a cytokine. Alternatively, a nucleic acid of the invention can include, in 5′ to 3′ orientation, a DNA segment encoding a light chain variable region including at least one humanized FR therein and a DNA segment encoding a cytokine. In some embodiments, a nucleic acid encoding a cytokine is joined in frame to the 3′ end of a gene encoding a constant region (e.g., CH3 exon), either directly or through an intergenic region (e.g., by appropriate linkers, such as by DNA encoding (Gly₄ -Ser)₃ (SEQ ID NO: 3)).

[0067] II. Expression of hu14. 18 Antibody Constructs

[0068] Nucleic acid encoding proteins of the present invention can be assembled or inserted into one or more expression vectors for introduction into an appropriate recipient cell where it is expressed. The introduction of nucleic acids into expression vectors can be accomplished by standard molecular biology techniques. Preferred expression vectors include those from which the encoded protein can be expressed in either bacteria or mammalian cells.

[0069] In accordance with the invention, a heavy chain of an antibody variable region is preferably co-expressed in the same cell with a corresponding light chain. For fusion proteins that comprise multiple polypeptide chains, more than one expression vector can be used. Co-transfection methods using, for example, two expression vectors, frequently result in both vectors being delivered to a target cell. Alternatively, it is sometimes useful to use a single vector encoding a plurality of polypeptides for co-expression in the same cell.

[0070] For example, FIGS. 2A-G show the nucleic acid sequence of a single vector encoding both the heavy and light chains of an immunoglobulin in accordance with the invention. The vector also includes a nucleic acid encoding IL-2 fused to the 3′ end of the immunoglobulin heavy chain. Thus, when introduced into a cell, this vector alone can provide a humanized antibody-IL-2 fusion protein that specifically binds GD2 and stimulates immune function.

[0071] Furthermore, it can be convenient to express the proteins of the present invention as single-chain molecules. For example, an antibody variable region can be expressed as a single chain antibody or sFv optionally fused to a non-immunoglobulin protein. In another embodiment, a heavy chain (with or without a fused cytokine) is combined with a light (or heavy) chain counterpart (with or without a fused cytokine) to form monovalent and divalent immunoconjugates.

[0072] Recipient cell lines are preferably lymphoid cells, such as a myeloma (or hybridoma). Myelomas can synthesize, assemble, and secrete immunoglobulins encoded by transfected genes and can glycosylate proteins. A particularly preferred recipient cell is the Sp2/0 myeloma, which normally does not produce endogenous immunoglobulin. When transfected, the cell will produce only immunoglobulins encoded by the transfected gene constructs. Transfected myelomas can be grown in culture or in the peritonea of mice where secreted immunoconjugates can be recovered from ascites fluid. Other lymphoid cells such as B lymphocytes can also be used as recipient cells.

[0073] There are several methods for transfecting lymphoid cells with vectors containing the nucleic acid constructs encoding the chimeric Ig chain. A preferred way of introducing a vector into lymphoid cells is by spheroblast fusion. (see, e.g., Gillies et al. (1989) Biotechnol. 7:798-804). Alternative methods include electroporation or calcium phosphate precipitation. Other useful methods of producing the immunoconjugates include the preparation of an RNA sequence encoding the construct and its translation in an appropriate in vivo or in vitro system. Once expressed, the proteins of the invention can be harvested by standard protein purification procedures (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,650,150).

[0074] III. Treatment of Cancer by Gene Therapy

[0075] The nucleic acids of the invention can be used as gene therapy agents for treatment of cancer and other diseases in which it is desirable to target the immune system to a specific cell type. For example, cells can be withdrawn from a human or animal, and one or more nucleic acids encoding an antibody of the present invention can be transfected into the cells. The cells are then reintroduced into the human or animal. The transfected cells can be normal or cancer cells. Alternatively, a nucleic acid can be introduced into cells in situ. The human or animal then mounts an immune response to the cancer cells, which can cure or lessen the severity of the cancer. An antibody variable region of the invention, coupled to appropriate regulatory elements to promote expression in mammalian cells, can be transfected into the cells by any of a variety of techniques, including via calcium phosphate, a “gene gun”, adenovirus vectors, cationic liposomes, retroviral vectors, or any other efficient transfection method.

[0076] In a particular embodiment of the invention, a hu14.18 antibody is used to selectively deliver a cytokine to a target cell in vivo so that the cytokine can exert a localized biological effect such as a local inflammatory response, stimulation of T cell growth and activation, or ADCC activity. A therapeutically effective amount of the antibody is administered into the circulatory system of a subject harboring the target cell.

[0077] The invention is illustrated further by the non-limiting examples.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Purification and Formulation of hu14.18-IL2

[0078] In one study, hu14.18-IL2 was expressed from NS/0 cells, tissue culture supernatant was harvested, and the hu14.18-IL2 protein was purified using, in sequence, Abx Mixed Resin column chromatography, recombinant Protein A chromatography, and Q Sepharose column chromatography, followed by Pellicon 2 tangential flow diafiltration for buffer exchange into formulation buffer. Details of these purification steps are described below. Virus inactivation and removal steps were interdigitated into these steps as described below. The virus inactivation and removal steps were not necessary for purification per se, but were used to satisfy regulatory considerations.

[0079] Two liters of NS/0 tissue culture supernatant containing hu14.18-IL2 was pH-adjusted to 5.9 with 1M acetic acid and was applied to an Abx column (J. T. Baker); washed with 10 mM MES, 100 mM sodium acetate pH 6.2; and eluted with 500 mM sodium acetate pH 7. This material was loaded onto a recombinant Protein A column (Pharmacia); washed with 100 mM sodium phosphate, 150 mM NaCl pH 7; washed with 100 mM sodium phosphate, 150 mM NaCl pH 6; washed with 10 mM sodium phosphate pH 7; and eluted with 100 mM sodium phosphate, 150 mM NaCl pH 3.5. The pH of the eluted material was 4.2. To promote virus inactivation, this pH was reduced to 3.8 and the preparation was incubated for 30 minutes, after which the pH was neutralized to 7 with 1M NaOH. To remove nucleic acid, this material was loaded onto a Q sepharose column (Pharmacia) and washed with 100 mM sodium phosphate, 150 mM NaCl pH 7. Nucleic acid bound to the column, while the protein was found in the flow through and washes, which were repeated until the A280 returned to baseline. Pellicon 2 diafiltration (Millipore) was performed according to the manufacturer's instructions, so that the final hu14.18-IL2 material was placed in the following formulation. 1. Mannitol   4% 2. Arginine Hydrochloride USP/NF 100 mM 3. Citric Acid USP-FCC  5 mM 4. Polysorbate 80 0.01% (w.v)

[0080] The pH of the formulation buffer was adjusted to 7 with 1 M NaOH.

[0081] As a final step, the preparation was filtered through a Viresolve 180 membrane (Millipore), which has a molecular weight cutoff of 180,000 Daltons. This had the effect of ‘polishing’ the material so that as a result, aggregated dimers and higher-order oligomers were removed.

Example 2 Anti-Tumor Activity of the hu14.18-IL-2 Fusion Protein Observed in Phase I Clinical Trials

[0082] To evaluate the safety and efficacy of hu14.18-IL-2, a Phase I clinical trial was performed. Eligible patients had histologically confirmed melanoma that was considered surgically and medically incurable. These patients could have either measurable or evaluable metastatic disease, or they could have no evidence of disease following surgical resection of either distant metastases or regionally recurrent disease. Patients with multiple (two or more) local or regional recurrences were included only if they had prior evidence of lymph node involvement and if each recurrence was separated in time by at least 2 months. All patients needed to have adequate bone marrow function (defined by total white blood cells (WBC ) >3,500/ml, or total granulocytes >2000/ml, platelets >1 00,000/ml, and hemoglobin >10.0 g/dl), adequate liver function [defined by an aspartate aminotransferase (AST) <3× normal and a total bilirubin <2.0 mg/dl], and adequate renal function (defined by a serum creatinine <2.0 mg/dl or a creatinine clearance of >60 ml/minute). All patients had an electrocorticography (ECOG) performance status of 0 or 1 and a life expectancy of at least 12 weeks. Patients who had previously received chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or other immunosuppressive therapy within 4 weeks prior to study were excluded. Patients could have prior central nervous system (CNS) metastases if treated and stable for at least 4 weeks prior to starting the study. Informed consent was obtained from all patients.

[0083] This phase I trial was designed as an open-label, nonrandomized dose escalation study in which groups of 3 to 6 patients received hu14.18-IL-2 at one of the following dose levels: 0.8, 1.6, 3.2, 4.8, 6.0 or 7.5 mg/m²/day. The hu14.18-IL-2 was administered on an inpatient basis as a 4-hour intravenous (IV) infusion over 3 consecutive days during the first week of each course. The hu14.18-IL-2 fusion protein was administered to patients in a formulation comprising 4% Mannitol; Arginine HCl, 100 mM; Citrate, 5 mM; and 0.01% Tween 80, at pH 7. Patients were discharged from the hospital, if stable, approximately 24 hours following the completion of the third infusion. Adverse events and toxicities were graded as per NCI Common Toxicity Criteria (version 2.0) and the University of Wisconsin Comprehensive Cancer Center Toxicity Grading Scale for IL-2 (performance status, weight gain, and temperature). Dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) was defined as the occurrence of grade 3 or 4 toxicity other than grade 3 lymphopenia, hyperbilirubinemia, hypophosphatemia or hyperglycemia. The maximal tolerated dose (MTD) was defined as the dose level at which two of six patients had DLT during course 1. Patients with grade 3 treatment-related toxicities were required to recover to at least grade 1 before they could resume treatment at a 50% dose reduction for course 2. Patients with ≧25% disease progression were removed from the study. Patients with stable disease were administered course 2.

[0084] The pharmacokinetic properties of hu14.18-IL-2 were evaluated in the patients. When hu14.18-IL-2 levels were evaluated in serial samples from all 33 patients immediately following the first 4-hour infusion (day 1, course 1), the half-life was found to be 3.7 hours (±SD of 0.9 h). This is intermediate between the half-lives of its 2 components (approximately 45 minutes for IL-2 and 3 days for the chimeric m14.18 antibody), and comparable to that which was observed for the half-life of chimeric m14.18-IL-2 in mice. Following the clearance of hu14.18-IL-2 from the serum of these patients, neither the IL-2 nor hu14.18 antibody components could be detected. The peak serum and area under the curve (AUC) during course 1 showed a significant dose-dependent increase (p<0.001).

[0085] Thirty-three patients were treated in this study. Table 1 lists clinical outcomes. Two patients (6%) completed only the first 2 of 3 days for course 1. One of these patients (dose level 3) had a grade 3 hyperbilirubinemia on day 2 of treatment, and the other patient (dose level 6) had grade 3 hypoxia and hypotension requiring treatment to be held. Both of these patients had progression of disease and did not receive a second course of therapy. Nineteen patients (58%) had stable disease following the first course of therapy and received a second course of therapy. Five patients (15% of all patients) required a 50% dose reduction for course 2 secondary to adverse events in course 1. Seventeen patients (52% of all patients) completed course 2. One patient (dose level 4) declined to receive the final infusion during course 2, and one patient (dose level 6) had the final infusion during course 2 held due to hypotension. Eight patients (24% of all patients) had stable disease following the second course of treatment. The results indicate that hu14.18-IL-2 caused stabilization of disease progression in a surprisingly large number of patients.

[0086] Eight of the 33 patients maintained stable disease after 2 courses of therapy, and 4 of these 8 patients continue with no evidence of progressive disease (1 with stable disease and 3 with no evidence of disease) for 20-52 months since completing protocol therapy.

[0087] Five of the 33 patients entered the study with no measurable disease following surgical resection of recurrences or metastases. Two of these five patients had disease progression, while the remaining 3 patients continued with no evidence of disease (20-52 months). These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that clinical benefit from an immunotherapeutic intervention is most likely in a patient with a low tumor burden. One additional patient had an objective decrease in a lung nodule following two courses of therapy, but the overall disease response was scored as disease progression due to growth in a distant node. The node was resected following hu14.18-IL-2 therapy and the patient remained free from disease progression for over 3 years. TABLE 1 Clinical Outcomes Number of Patients Patients completing course 1 31 Stable disease following course 1 19 50% dose reduction for course 2 5 Patients completing course 2 17 Stable disease following course 2 8

Example 3 Immune Stimulation in vivo by hu14.18-IL-2 in a Phase I Clinical Trial

[0088] Patients treated with hu14.18-IL-2 were also examined for indications of immune stimulation. A peripheral blood lymphopenia occurred on days 2-4, and this was followed by a rebound lymphocytosis on days 5-22. Both of these changes were dose-dependent (p<0.01 and p<0.05, respectively). The lymphocyte counts on days 5, 8, 15 and 22 were significantly greater than baseline for course 1. The baseline lymphocyte count for course 2 (day 29 of course 1) was increased over the baseline lymphocyte count for course 1, indicating that effects of the first course of treatment are still present on day 29. In addition, the lymphocyte counts during course 2 on days 5, 8 and 15 are greater than the corresponding values for days 5, 8, and 15 during course 1 for these 12 patients. Lymphocyte cell surface phenotype showed an expansion of CD 16+ and CD56+ lymphocytes (natural killer (NK) cell markers) following the first week of hu14.18-IL-2 therapy. This effect was still present on day 29 of course 1 (day 1, course 2). For patients 19-33 (receiving 4.8-7.5 mg/m²/day), lymphocyte cell surface phenotype was determined on days 15 and 22 in addition to days 1 and 8. This analysis demonstrated that the augmentation of CD56 and CD56/CD16 co-expressing cells remained significantly elevated (p<0.01) on days 8, 15 and 22.

[0089] As a measure of immune activation, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels for patients 13-33 and soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R) levels for the 31 patients completing course 1, were obtained. A significant increase in mean CRP was present on treatment days 3-5 in both course 1 and course 2 compared to baseline for each course. This increase in CRP returned to baseline levels by day 8 of each treatment course. The sIL-2R level was significantly increased over baseline starting 24 hours after the hu14.18-IL-2 infusion during both course 1 and course 2, which persisted through day 8. The increase in sIL-2R was found to be dose dependent (p=0.014). sIL-2R values for course 2 were increased compared to corresponding values in course 1 for days 1-5 for patients receiving the same dose in both courses (p<0.05).

[0090] The LA-N-5 neuroblastoma cell line that expresses GD2 and binds hu14.18-IL-2 was used to evaluate IL-2 activated NK function and antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 31 patients completing course 1. There was a significant increase in killing mediated by lymphocytes from day 8 when compared with day 1 for these two assays. The 12 patients that received course 2 at the same dose as in course 1, showed ADCC results that were very similar to those obtained during course 1. The only parameter that was found to be different for course 2 from course 1 was increased killing in the presence of IL-2 on day 1, indicating that augmented killing in this assay remained elevated on day 29 (day 1, course 2).

[0091] Because the LA-N-5 target is relatively resistant to fresh NK cells, it is useful for measuring IL-2 augmented killing, and ADCC. However, the weak killing of LA-N-5 mediated by fresh PBMC in medium (without supplemental IL-2 in vitro) was not significantly greater on day 8 than on day 1.

[0092] For patients 19-33, standard NK assays were performed on days 1, 8, 15 and 22, using the NK susceptible K562 target cell line. A significant increase in NK lysis of K562 target cells, when tested either in medium or in the presence of IL-2, was observed on days 8 and 22 when compared with day 1. Serum samples from selected patients were also evaluated to determine functional IL-2 activity and functional anti-GD2 antibody.

[0093] The IL-2 responsive Tf-1b cell line demonstrated IL-2-induced proliferation with patient serum obtained following infusion of hu14.18-IL-2. A progressive increase in proliferation was seen during the first 4 hours following the 4-hour infusion. Values returned to baseline by 16 hours after this infusion, consistent with the serum half-life for hu14.18-IL-2 of approximately 4 hours. Serum samples from these time-points were also examined by flow cytometry for the presence of intact hu14.18-IL-2 immunocytokine (IC) that retains its IL-2 component and its anti-GD2 antibody activity. hu14.18-IL-2 capable of binding to the M21 cell line (GD2 positive) was detectable in patient serum samples following an infusion of IC. The amount of IC able to bind to M21 progressively increased during the first 4 hours following the 4-hour infusion, and decreased after that, again consistent with the half-life of approximately 4 hours.

[0094] Finally, in vitro assays were performed with specimens from patients to determine whether administration of hu14.18-IL-2 results in conditions in vivo consistent with those needed to achieve ADCC. PBMCs from day 8 show augmented ADCC on GD2+ target cells when hu14.18-IL-2 is added to the cytotoxic assay. This same ADCC assay was performed with PBMC from day 8, however instead of adding hu14.18-IL-2 to the assay, serum from the patient, obtained before or after hu14.18-IL-2 administration, was added. PBMC obtained from patients on day 8 of course 2 were able to mediate augmented killing of the LA-N-5 cell line in the presence of serum obtained following hu14.18-IL-2 administration, compared to that observed with serum obtained prior to infusion. Thus the hu14.18-IL-2 circulating in patients after IV administration is able to facilitate ADCC with PBMCs activated in vivo by hu14.18-IL-2 from that same patient.

[0095] In summary, these results indicate that there were immunological changes associated with this hu14.18-IL-2 therapy including an increase in lymphocyte count, an increase in the percentage of CD16+ and CD56+ PBMC, an increase in NK lysis, and an increase in ADCC. Additional evidence for immune activation included an increase in serum levels of CRP and of sIL-2R. Laboratory analyses of serum and PBMC showed that the hu14.18-IL-2 molecule circulating in patient serum following IV administration retained its ability to activate IL-2 responsive cells through the IL-2 receptor and retained its ability to bind to GD2 positive tumor cells, and deliver IL-2 to their surface, as detected by flow cytometry. NK cells were activated in vivo based on their ability to mediate NK and ADCC function in vitro. Furthermore, the NK cells activated in vivo by the hu14.18-IL-2 administered to these patients were able to mediate ADCC facilitated by the hu14.18-IL-2 circulating in the serum of those same patients. Thus, conditions to achieve immune activation were achieved in all patients in this study.

Incorporation by Reference

[0096] The disclosures of each of the patent documents and scientific publications disclosed herein are incorporated by reference into this application in their entireties.

1 6 1 113 PRT Artificial Sequence Humanized Immunoglobulin Light Chain Variable Region 1 Asp Val Val Met Thr Gln Thr Pro Leu Ser Leu Pro Val Thr Pro Gly 1 5 10 15 Glu Pro Ala Ser Ile Ser Cys Arg Ser Ser Gln Ser Leu Val His Arg 20 25 30 Asn Gly Asn Thr Tyr Leu His Trp Tyr Leu Gln Lys Pro Gly Gln Ser 35 40 45 Pro Lys Leu Leu Ile His Lys Val Ser Asn Arg Phe Ser Gly Val Pro 50 55 60 Asp Arg Phe Ser Gly Ser Gly Ser Gly Thr Asp Phe Thr Leu Lys Ile 65 70 75 80 Ser Arg Val Glu Ala Glu Asp Leu Gly Val Tyr Phe Cys Ser Gln Ser 85 90 95 Thr His Val Pro Pro Leu Thr Phe Gly Ala Gly Thr Lys Leu Glu Leu 100 105 110 Lys 2 113 PRT Artificial Sequence Humanized Immunoglobulin Heavy Chain Variable Region 2 Glu Val Gln Leu Val Gln Ser Gly Ala Glu Val Glu Lys Pro Gly Ala 1 5 10 15 Ser Val Lys Ile Ser Cys Lys Ala Ser Gly Ser Ser Phe Thr Gly Tyr 20 25 30 Asn Met Asn Trp Val Arg Gln Asn Ile Gly Lys Ser Leu Glu Trp Ile 35 40 45 Gly Ala Ile Asp Pro Tyr Tyr Gly Gly Thr Ser Tyr Asn Gln Lys Phe 50 55 60 Lys Gly Arg Ala Thr Leu Thr Val Asp Lys Ser Thr Ser Thr Ala Tyr 65 70 75 80 Met His Leu Lys Ser Leu Arg Ser Glu Asp Thr Ala Val Tyr Tyr Cys 85 90 95 Val Ser Gly Met Glu Tyr Trp Gly Gln Gly Thr Ser Val Thr Val Ser 100 105 110 Ser 3 15 PRT Artificial Sequence Linker sequence 3 Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser 1 5 10 15 4 10531 DNA Artificial Sequence Vector containing humanized immunoglobulin light and heavy chain and IL-2 4 gtcgacattg attattgact agttattaat agtaatcaat tacggggtca ttagttcata 60 gcccatatat ggagttccgc gttacataac ttacggtaaa tggcccgcct ggctgaccgc 120 ccaacgaccc ccgcccattg acgtcaataa tgacgtatgt tcccatagta acgccaatag 180 ggactttcca ttgacgtcaa tgggtggagt atttacggta aactgcccac ttggcagtac 240 atcaagtgta tcatatgcca agtacgcccc ctattgacgt caatgacggt aaatggcccg 300 cctggcatta tgcccagtac atgaccttat gggactttcc tacttggcag tacatctacg 360 tattagtcat cgctattacc atggtgatgc ggttttggca gtacatcaat gggcgtggat 420 agcggtttga ctcacgggga tttccaagtc tccaccccat tgacgtcaat gggagtttgt 480 tttggcacca aaatcaacgg gactttccaa aatgtcgtaa caactccgcc ccattgacgc 540 aaatgggcgg taggcgtgta cggtgggagg tctatataag cagagctctc tggctaacta 600 cagaacccac tgcttaactg gcttatcgaa attaatacga ctcactatag ggagaccctc 660 tagaatgaag ttgcctgtta ggctgttggt gctgatgttc tggattcctg gtgaggagag 720 agggaagtga gggaggagaa tggacaggga gcaggagcac tgaatcccat tgctcattcc 780 atgtatctgg catgggtgag aagatgggtc ttatcctcca gcatggggcc tctggggtga 840 atacttgtta gagggaggtt ccagatggga acatgtgcta taatgaagat tatgaaatgg 900 atgcctggga tggtctaagt aatgccttag aagtgactag acacttgcaa ttcacttttt 960 ttggtaagaa gagattttta ggctataaaa aaatgttatg taaaaataaa cgatcacagt 1020 tgaaataaaa aaaaaatata aggatgttca tgaattttgt gtataactat gtatttctct 1080 ctcattgttt cagcttcctt aagcgacgtg gtgatgaccc agacccccct gtccctgccc 1140 gtgacccccg gcgagcccgc ctccatctcc tgcagatcta gtcagagtct tgtacaccgt 1200 aatggaaaca cctatttaca ttggtacctg cagaagccag gccagtctcc aaagctcctg 1260 attcacaaag tttccaaccg attttctggg gtcccagaca ggttcagtgg cagtggatca 1320 gggacagatt tcacactcaa gatcagcaga gtggaggctg aggatctggg agtttatttc 1380 tgttctcaaa gtacacatgt tcctccgctc acgttcggtg ctgggaccaa gctggagctg 1440 aaacgtatta gtgtgtcagg gtttcacaag agggactaaa gacatgtcag ctatgtgtga 1500 ctaatggtaa tgtcactaag ctgcgggatc ccgcaattct aaactctgag ggggtcggat 1560 gacgtggcca ttctttgcct aaagcattga gtttactgca aggtcagaaa agcatgcaaa 1620 gccctcagaa tggctgcaaa gagctccaac aaaacaattt agaactttat taaggaatag 1680 ggggaagcta ggaagaaact caaaacatca agattttaaa tacgcttctt ggtctccttg 1740 ctataattat ctgggataag catgctgttt tctgtctgtc cctaacatgc cctgtgatta 1800 tccgcaaaca acacacccaa gggcagaact ttgttactta aacaccatcc tgtttgcttc 1860 tttcctcagg aactgtggct gcaccatctg tcttcatctt cccgccatct gatgagcagt 1920 tgaaatctgg aactgcctct gttgtgtgcc tgctgaataa cttctatccc agagaggcca 1980 aagtacagtg gaaggtggat aacgccctcc aatcgggtaa ctcccaggag agtgtcacag 2040 agcaggacag caaggacagc acctacagcc tcagcagcac cctgacgctg agcaaagcag 2100 actacgagaa acacaaagtc tacgcctgcg aagtcaccca tcagggcctg agctcgcccg 2160 tcacaaagag cttcaacagg ggagagtgtt agagggagaa gtgcccccac ctgctcctca 2220 gttccagcct gaccccctcc catcctttgg cctctgaccc tttttccaca ggggacctac 2280 ccctattgcg gtcctccagc tcatctttca cctcaccccc ctcctcctcc ttggctttaa 2340 ttatgctaat gttggaggag aatgaataaa taaagtgaat ctttgcacct gtggtttctc 2400 tctttcctca atttaataat tattatctgt tgtttaccaa ctactcaatt tctcttataa 2460 gggactaaat atgtagtcat cctaaggcgc ataaccattt ataaaaatca tccttcattc 2520 tattttaccc tatcatcctc tgcaagacag tcctccctca aacccacaag ccttctgtcc 2580 tcacagtccc ctgggccatg gtaggagaga cttgcttcct tgttttcccc tcctcagcaa 2640 gccctcatag tcctttttaa gggtgacagg tcttacggtc atatatcctt tgattcaatt 2700 ccctgggaat caaccaaggc aaatttttca aaagaagaaa cctgctataa agagaatcat 2760 tcattgcaac atgatataaa ataacaacac aataaaagca attaaataaa caaacaatag 2820 ggaaatgttt aagttcatca tggtacttag acttaatgga atgtcatgcc ttatttacat 2880 ttttaaacag gtactgaggg actcctgtct gccaagggcc gtattgagta ctttccacaa 2940 cctaatttaa tccacactat actgtgagat taaaaacatt cattaaaatg ttgcaaaggt 3000 tctataaagc tgagagacaa atatattcta taactcagca atcccacttc tagggtcgat 3060 cgacgttgac attgattatt gactagttat taatagtaat caattacggg gtcattagtt 3120 catagcccat atatggagtt ccgcgttaca taacttacgg taaatggccc gcctggctga 3180 ccgcccaacg acccccgccc attgacgtca ataatgacgt atgttcccat agtaacgcca 3240 atagggactt tccattgacg tcaatgggtg gagtatttac ggtaaactgc ccacttggca 3300 gtacatcaag tgtatcatat gccaagtacg ccccctattg acgtcaatga cggtaaatgg 3360 cccgcctggc attatgccca gtacatgacc ttatgggact ttcctacttg gcagtacatc 3420 tacgtattag tcatcgctat taccatggtg atgcggtttt ggcagtacat caatgggcgt 3480 ggatagcggt ttgactcacg gggatttcca agtctccacc ccattgacgt caatgggagt 3540 ttgttttggc accaaaatca acgggacttt ccaaaatgtc gtaacaactc cgccccattg 3600 acgcaaatgg gcggtaggcg tgtacggtgg gaggtctata taagcagagc tctctggcta 3660 actacagaac ccactgctta actggcttat cgaaattaat acgactcact atagggagac 3720 ccaagctcct cgaggctaga atgaagttgc ctgttaggct gttggtgctg atgttctgga 3780 ttcctggtga ggagagaggg aagtgaggga ggagaatgga cagggagcag gagcactgaa 3840 tcccattgct cattccatgt atctggcatg ggtgagaaga tgggtcttat cctccagcat 3900 ggggcctctg gggtgaatac ttgttagagg gaggttccag atgggaacat gtgctataat 3960 gaagattatg aaatggatgc ctgggatggt ctaagtaatg ccttagaagt gactagacac 4020 ttgcaattca ctttttttgg taagaagaga tttttaggct ataaaaaaat gttatgtaaa 4080 aataaacgat cacagttgaa ataaaaaaaa aatataagga tgttcatgaa ttttgtgtat 4140 aactatgtat ttctctctca ttgtttcagc ttccttaagc gaggtgcagc tggtgcagtc 4200 cggcgccgag gtggagaagc ccggcgcctc cgtgaagatc tcctgcaagg cctccggctc 4260 ctccttcacc ggctacaaca tgaactgggt gcgccagaac atcggcaagt ccctggagtg 4320 gatcggcgcc atcgacccct actacggcgg cacctcctac aaccagaagt tcaagggccg 4380 cgccaccctg accgtggaca agtccacctc caccgcctac atgcacctga agtccctgcg 4440 ctccgaggac accgccgtgt actactgcgt gtccggcatg gagtactggg gccagggcac 4500 ctccgtgacc gtgtcctccg gtaagctttt ctggggcagg ccaggcctga ccttggcttt 4560 ggggcaggga gggggctaag gtgaggcagg tggcgccagc caggtgcaca cccaatgccc 4620 atgagcccag acactggacg ctgaacctcg cggacagtta agaacccagg ggcctctgcg 4680 ccctgggccc agctctgtcc cacaccgcgg tcacatggca ccacctctct tgcagcctcc 4740 accaagggcc catcggtctt ccccctggca ccctcctcca agagcacctc tgggggcaca 4800 gcggccctgg gctgcctggt caaggactac ttccccgaac cggtgacggt gtcgtggaac 4860 tcaggcgccc tgaccagcgg cgtgcacacc ttcccggctg tcctacagtc ctcaggactc 4920 tactccctca gcagcgtggt gaccgtgccc tccagcagct tgggcaccca gacctacatc 4980 tgcaacgtga atcacaagcc cagcaacacc aaggtggaca agagagttgg tgagaggcca 5040 gcacagggag ggagggtgtc tgctggaagc caggctcagc gctcctgcct ggacgcatcc 5100 cggctatgca gtcccagtcc agggcagcaa ggcaggcccc gtctgcctct tcacccggag 5160 gcctctgccc gccccactca tgctcaggga gagggtcttc tggctttttc cccaggctct 5220 gggcaggcac aggctaggtg cccctaaccc aggccctgca cacaaagggg caggtgctgg 5280 gctcagacct gccaagagcc atatccggga ggaccctgcc cctgacctaa gcccacccca 5340 aaggccaaac tctccactcc ctcagctcgg acaccttctc tcctcccaga ttccagtaac 5400 tcccaatctt ctctctgcag agcccaaatc ttgtgacaaa actcacacat gcccaccgtg 5460 cccaggtaag ccagcccagg cctcgccctc cagctcaagg cgggacaggt gccctagagt 5520 agcctgcatc cagggacagg ccccagccgg gtgctgacac gtccacctcc atctcttcct 5580 cagcacctga actcctgggg ggaccgtcag tcttcctctt ccccccaaaa cccaaggaca 5640 ccctcatgat ctcccggacc cctgaggtca catgcgtggt ggtggacgtg agccacgaag 5700 accctgaggt caagttcaac tggtacgtgg acggcgtgga ggtgcataat gccaagacaa 5760 agccgcggga ggagcagtac aacagcacgt accgtgtggt cagcgtcctc accgtcctgc 5820 accaggactg gctgaatggc aaggagtaca agtgcaaggt ctccaacaaa gccctcccag 5880 cccccatcga gaaaaccatc tccaaagcca aaggtgggac ccgtggggtg cgagggccac 5940 atggacagag gccggctcgg cccaccctct gccctgagag tgaccgctgt accaacctct 6000 gtccctacag ggcagccccg agaaccacag gtgtacaccc tgcccccatc acgggaggag 6060 atgaccaaga accaggtcag cctgacctgc ctggtcaaag gcttctatcc cagcgacatc 6120 gccgtggagt gggagagcaa tgggcagccg gagaacaact acaagaccac gcctcccgtg 6180 ctggactccg acggctcctt cttcctctat agcaagctca ccgtggacaa gagcaggtgg 6240 cagcagggga acgtcttctc atgctccgtg atgcatgagg ctctgcacaa ccactacacg 6300 cagaagagcc tctccctgtc cccgggtaaa gccccaactt caagttctac aaagaaaaca 6360 cagctgcaac tggagcatct cctgctggat ctccagatga ttctgaatgg aattaacaac 6420 tacaagaatc ccaaactcac caggatgctc acattcaagt tctacatgcc caagaaggcc 6480 acagagctca aacatctcca gtgtctagag gaggaactca aacctctgga ggaagtgcta 6540 aacctcgctc agagcaaaaa cttccactta agacctaggg acttaatcag caatatcaac 6600 gtaatagttc tggaactaaa gggatccgaa acaacattca tgtgtgaata tgctgatgag 6660 acagcaacca ttgtagaatt tctgaacaga tggattacct tttgtcaaag catcatctca 6720 acactaactt gataattaag tgctcgaggg atccagacat gataagatac attgatgagt 6780 ttggacaaac cacaactaga atgcagtgaa aaaaatgctt tatttgtgaa atttgtgatg 6840 ctattgcttt atttgtaacc attagaagct gcaataaaca agttaacaac aacaattgca 6900 ttcattttat gtttcaggtt cagggggagg tgtgggaggt tttttaaagc aagtaaaacc 6960 tctacaaatg tggtatggct gattatgatc ctgcctcgcg cgtttcggtg atgacggtga 7020 aaacctctga cacatgcagc tcccggagac ggtcacagct tgtctgtaag cggatgccgg 7080 gagcagacaa gcccgtcagg gcgcgtcagc gggtgttggc gggtgtcggg gcgcagccat 7140 gacccagtca cgtagcgata gcggagtgta tactggctta actatgcggc atcagagcag 7200 attgtactga gagtgcacca tatgcggtgt gaaataccgc acagatgcgt aaggagaaaa 7260 taccgcatca ggcgctcttc cgcttcctcg ctcactgact cgctgcgctc ggtcgttcgg 7320 ctgcggcgag cggtatcagc tcactcaaag gcggtaatac ggttatccac agaatcaggg 7380 gataacgcag gaaagaacat gtgagcaaaa ggccagcaaa aggccaggaa ccgtaaaaag 7440 gccgcgttgc tggcgttttt ccataggctc cgcccccctg acgagcatca caaaaatcga 7500 cgctcaagtc agaggtggcg aaacccgaca ggactataaa gataccaggc gtttccccct 7560 ggaagctccc tcgtgcgctc tcctgttccg accctgccgc ttaccggata cctgtccgcc 7620 tttctccctt cgggaagcgt ggcgctttct caatgctcac gctgtaggta tctcagttcg 7680 gtgtaggtcg ttcgctccaa gctgggctgt gtgcacgaac cccccgttca gcccgaccgc 7740 tgcgccttat ccggtaacta tcgtcttgag tccaacccgg taagacacga cttatcgcca 7800 ctggcagcag ccactggtaa caggattagc agagcgaggt atgtaggcgg tgctacagag 7860 ttcttgaagt ggtggcctaa ctacggctac actagaagga cagtatttgg tatctgcgct 7920 ctgctgaagc cagttacctt cggaaaaaga gttggtagct cttgatccgg caaacaaacc 7980 accgctggta gcggtggttt ttttgtttgc aagcagcaga ttacgcgcag aaaaaaagga 8040 tctcaagaag atcctttgat cttttctacg gggtctgacg ctcagtggaa cgaaaactca 8100 cgttaaggga ttttggtcat gagattatca aaaaggatct tcacctagat ccttttaaat 8160 taaaaatgaa gttttaaatc aatctaaagt atatatgagt aaacttggtc tgacagttac 8220 caatgcttaa tcagtgaggc acctatctca gcgatctgtc tatttcgttc atccatagtt 8280 gcctgactcc ccgtcgtgta gataactacg atacgggagg gcttaccatc tggccccagt 8340 gctgcaatga taccgcgaga cccacgctca ccggctccag atttatcagc aataaaccag 8400 ccagccggaa gggccgagcg cagaagtggt cctgcaactt tatccgcctc catccagtct 8460 attaattgtt gccgggaagc tagagtaagt agttcgccag ttaatagttt gcgcaacgtt 8520 gttgccattg ctgcaggcat cgtggtgtca cgctcgtcgt ttggtatggc ttcattcagc 8580 tccggttccc aacgatcaag gcgagttaca tgatccccca tgttgtgcaa aaaagcggtt 8640 agctccttcg gtcctccgat cgttgtcaga agtaagttgg ccgcagtgtt atcactcatg 8700 gttatggcag cactgcataa ttctcttact gtcatgccat ccgtaagatg cttttctgtg 8760 actggtgagt actcaaccaa gtcattctga gaatagtgta tgcggcgacc gagttgctct 8820 tgcccggcgt caacacggga taataccgcg ccacatagca gaactttaaa agtgctcatc 8880 attggaaaac gttcttcggg gcgaaaactc tcaaggatct taccgctgtt gagatccagt 8940 tcgatgtaac ccactcgtgc acccaactga tcttcagcat cttttacttt caccagcgtt 9000 tctgggtgag caaaaacagg aaggcaaaat gccgcaaaaa agggaataag ggcgacacgg 9060 aaatgttgaa tactcatact cttccttttt caatattatt gaagcattta tcagggttat 9120 tgtctcatga gcggatacat atttgaatgt atttagaaaa ataaacaaat aggggttccg 9180 cgcacatttc cccgaaaagt gccacctgac gtctaagaaa ccattattat catgacatta 9240 acctataaaa ataggcgtat cacgaggccc tttcgtcttc aagaattccg atccagacat 9300 gataagatac attgatgagt ttggacaaac cacaactaga atgcagtgaa aaaaatgctt 9360 tatttgtgaa atttgtgatg ctattgcttt atttgtaacc attagaagct gcaataaaca 9420 agttaacaac aacaattgca ttcattttat gtttcaggtt cagggggagg tgtgggaggt 9480 tttttaaagc aagtaaaacc tctacaaatg tggtatggct gattatgatc taaagccagc 9540 aaaagtccca tggtcttata aaaatgcata gctttcggag gggagcagag aacttgaaag 9600 catcttcctg ttagtctttc ttctcgtaga ccttaaattc atacttgatt cctttttcct 9660 cctggacctc agagaggacg cctgggtatt ctgggagaag tttatatttc cccaaatcaa 9720 tttctgggaa aaacgtgtca ctttcaaatt cctgcatgat ccttgtcaca aagagtctga 9780 ggtggcctgg ttgattcatg gcttcctggt aaacagaact gcctccgact atccaaacca 9840 tgtctacttt acttgccaat tccggttgtt caataagtct taaggcatca tccaaacttt 9900 tggcaagaaa atgagctcct cgtggtggtt ctttgagttc tctactgaga actatattaa 9960 ttctgtcctt taaaggtcga ttcttctcag gaatggagaa ccaggttttc ctacccataa 10020 tcaccagatt ctgtttacct tccactgaag aggttgtggt cattctttgg aagtacttga 10080 actcgttcct gagcggaggc cagggtcggt ctccgttctt gccaatcccc atattttggg 10140 acacggcgac gatgcagttc aatggtcgaa ccatgagggc accaagctag ctttttgcaa 10200 aagcctaggc ctccaaaaaa gcctcctcac tacttctgga atagctcaga ggccgaggcg 10260 gcctcggcct ctgcataaat aaaaaaaatt agtcagccat ggggcggaga atgggcggaa 10320 ctgggcggag ttaggggcgg gatgggcgga gttaggggcg ggactatggt tgctgactaa 10380 ttgagatgca tgctttgcat acttctgcct gctggggagc ctggggactt tccacacctg 10440 gttgctgact aattgagatg catgctttgc atacttctgc ctgctgggga gcctggggac 10500 tttccacacc ctaactgaca cacattccac a 10531 5 220 PRT Artificial Sequence Humanized Immunoglobulin Light chain 5 Asp Val Val Met Thr Gln Thr Pro Leu Ser Leu Pro Val Thr Pro Gly 1 5 10 15 Glu Pro Ala Ser Ile Ser Cys Arg Ser Ser Gln Ser Leu Val His Arg 20 25 30 Asn Gly Asn Thr Tyr Leu His Trp Tyr Leu Gln Lys Pro Gly Gln Ser 35 40 45 Pro Lys Leu Leu Ile His Lys Val Ser Asn Arg Phe Ser Gly Val Pro 50 55 60 Asp Arg Phe Ser Gly Ser Gly Ser Gly Thr Asp Phe Thr Leu Lys Ile 65 70 75 80 Ser Arg Val Glu Ala Glu Asp Leu Gly Val Tyr Phe Cys Ser Gln Ser 85 90 95 Thr His Val Pro Pro Leu Thr Phe Gly Ala Gly Thr Lys Leu Glu Leu 100 105 110 Lys Arg Thr Val Ala Ala Pro Ser Val Phe Ile Phe Pro Pro Ser Asp 115 120 125 Glu Gln Leu Lys Ser Gly Thr Ala Ser Val Val Cys Leu Leu Asn Asn 130 135 140 Phe Tyr Pro Arg Glu Ala Lys Val Gln Trp Lys Val Asp Asn Ala Leu 145 150 155 160 Gln Ser Gly Asn Ser Gln Glu Ser Val Thr Glu Gln Asp Ser Lys Asp 165 170 175 Ser Thr Tyr Ser Leu Ser Ser Thr Leu Thr Leu Ser Lys Ala Asp Tyr 180 185 190 Glu Lys His Lys Val Tyr Ala Cys Glu Val Thr His Gln Gly Leu Ser 195 200 205 Ser Pro Val Thr Lys Ser Phe Asn Arg Gly Glu Cys 210 215 220 6 575 PRT Artificial Sequence Humanized Immunoglobulin Heavy Chain-IL-2 6 Glu Val Gln Leu Val Gln Ser Gly Ala Glu Val Glu Lys Pro Gly Ala 1 5 10 15 Ser Val Lys Ile Ser Cys Lys Ala Ser Gly Ser Ser Phe Thr Gly Tyr 20 25 30 Asn Met Asn Trp Val Arg Gln Asn Ile Gly Lys Ser Leu Glu Trp Ile 35 40 45 Gly Ala Ile Asp Pro Tyr Tyr Gly Gly Thr Ser Tyr Asn Gln Lys Phe 50 55 60 Lys Gly Arg Ala Thr Leu Thr Val Asp Lys Ser Thr Ser Thr Ala Tyr 65 70 75 80 Met His Leu Lys Ser Leu Arg Ser Glu Asp Thr Ala Val Tyr Tyr Cys 85 90 95 Val Ser Gly Met Glu Tyr Trp Gly Gln Gly Thr Ser Val Thr Val Ser 100 105 110 Ser Ala Ser Thr Lys Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Pro Leu Ala Pro Ser Ser 115 120 125 Lys Ser Thr Ser Gly Gly Thr Ala Ala Leu Gly Cys Leu Val Lys Asp 130 135 140 Tyr Phe Pro Glu Pro Val Thr Val Ser Trp Asn Ser Gly Ala Leu Thr 145 150 155 160 Ser Gly Val His Thr Phe Pro Ala Val Leu Gln Ser Ser Gly Leu Tyr 165 170 175 Ser Leu Ser Ser Val Val Thr Val Pro Ser Ser Ser Leu Gly Thr Gln 180 185 190 Thr Tyr Ile Cys Asn Val Asn His Lys Pro Ser Asn Thr Lys Val Asp 195 200 205 Lys Arg Val Glu Pro Lys Ser Cys Asp Lys Thr His Thr Cys Pro Pro 210 215 220 Cys Pro Ala Pro Glu Leu Leu Gly Gly Pro Ser Val Phe Leu Phe Pro 225 230 235 240 Pro Lys Pro Lys Asp Thr Leu Met Ile Ser Arg Thr Pro Glu Val Thr 245 250 255 Cys Val Val Val Asp Val Ser His Glu Asp Pro Glu Val Lys Phe Asn 260 265 270 Trp Tyr Val Asp Gly Val Glu Val His Asn Ala Lys Thr Lys Pro Arg 275 280 285 Glu Glu Gln Tyr Asn Ser Thr Tyr Arg Val Val Ser Val Leu Thr Val 290 295 300 Leu His Gln Asp Trp Leu Asn Gly Lys Glu Tyr Lys Cys Lys Val Ser 305 310 315 320 Asn Lys Ala Leu Pro Ala Pro Ile Glu Lys Thr Ile Ser Lys Ala Lys 325 330 335 Gly Gln Pro Arg Glu Pro Gln Val Tyr Thr Leu Pro Pro Ser Arg Glu 340 345 350 Glu Met Thr Lys Asn Gln Val Ser Leu Thr Cys Leu Val Lys Gly Phe 355 360 365 Tyr Pro Ser Asp Ile Ala Val Glu Trp Glu Ser Asn Gly Gln Pro Glu 370 375 380 Asn Asn Tyr Lys Thr Thr Pro Pro Val Leu Asp Ser Asp Gly Ser Phe 385 390 395 400 Phe Leu Tyr Ser Lys Leu Thr Val Asp Lys Ser Arg Trp Gln Gln Gly 405 410 415 Asn Val Phe Ser Cys Ser Val Met His Glu Ala Leu His Asn His Tyr 420 425 430 Thr Gln Lys Ser Leu Ser Leu Ser Pro Gly Ala Pro Thr Ser Ser Ser 435 440 445 Thr Lys Lys Thr Gln Leu Gln Leu Glu His Leu Leu Leu Asp Leu Gln 450 455 460 Met Ile Leu Asn Gly Ile Asn Asn Tyr Lys Asn Pro Lys Leu Thr Arg 465 470 475 480 Met Leu Thr Phe Lys Phe Tyr Met Pro Lys Lys Ala Thr Glu Leu Lys 485 490 495 His Leu Gln Cys Leu Glu Glu Glu Leu Lys Pro Leu Glu Glu Val Leu 500 505 510 Asn Leu Ala Gln Ser Lys Asn Phe His Leu Arg Pro Arg Asp Leu Ile 515 520 525 Ser Asn Ile Asn Val Ile Val Leu Glu Leu Lys Gly Ser Glu Thr Thr 530 535 540 Phe Met Cys Glu Tyr Ala Asp Glu Thr Ala Thr Ile Val Glu Phe Leu 545 550 555 560 Asn Arg Trp Ile Thr Phe Cys Gln Ser Ile Ile Ser Thr Leu Thr 565 570 575 

We claim:
 1. An antibody variable region comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1:
 2. An antibody variable region comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:
 2. 3. The antibody variable region of claim 2 further comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:
 1. 4. The antibody variable region of claim 3, wherein the amino acid sequences are linked by a disulfide bond.
 5. The antibody variable region of claim 3, wherein the amino acid sequences are linked by a peptide bond.
 6. An antibody variable region comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of amino acids 1-23 of SEQ ID NO: 1, amino acids 1-25 of SEQ ID NO: 2, and amino acids 67-98 of SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein the antibody variable region specifically binds to GD2.
 7. The antibody variable region of claim 6, wherein the amino acid sequence includes amino acids 1-23 of SEQ ID NO:
 1. 8. The antibody variable region of claim 6, wherein the amino acid sequence includes amino acids 1-25 of SEQ ID NO:
 2. 9. The antibody variable region of claim 6, wherein the amino acid sequence includes amino acids 67-98 of SEQ ID NO:
 2. 10. A polypeptide comprising the antibody variable region of claim 6 and an Fc portion comprising at least a CH2 domain.
 11. The polypeptide of claim 10, wherein the Fc portion is derived from IgG1.
 12. A nucleic acid encoding the antibody variable region of claim
 6. 13. A cell comprising the nucleic acid of claim
 12. 14. A method for targeting a cell with GD2 on its surface, the method comprising: administering the antibody variable region of claim
 6. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the cell is a tumor cell.
 16. A fusion protein comprising the antibody variable region of claim 6 and a non-immunoglobulin moiety.
 17. The fusion protein of claim 16, wherein the non-immunoglobulin moiety is a cytokine.
 18. The fusion protein of claim 17, wherein the cytokine is selected from the group consisting of an interleukin, a hematopoietic factor, a lymphokine, an interferon, and a chemokine.
 19. The fusion protein of claim 18, wherein the interleukin is selected from the group consisting of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interleukin-12 (IL-12).
 20. The fusion protein of claim 18, wherein the hematopoietic factor is granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF).
 21. The fusion protein of claim 18, wherein the lymphokine is a lymphotoxin.
 22. The fusion protein of claim 18, wherein the interferon is selected from the group consisting of interferon-α, interferon-β, and interferon-γ.
 23. The fusion protein of claim 16 further comprising a second non-immunoglobulin moiety.
 24. The fusion protein of claim 23, wherein the fusion protein comprises IL-2 and IL-12.
 25. A method for treating a patient, the method comprising: administering to a patient the nucleic acid of claim
 12. 26. A method for treating a patient, the method comprising: administering to a patient the cell of claim
 13. 